Zawadi Bunzigiye

Meet ZAWADI BUNZIGIYE — a participant of the #VISIONS2025 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROJECT.

Zawadi submitted two beautiful and insightful collages for the #Visions2025 Environmental Justice project. These collages illustrated her vision of community gardens and how these may be used to address our climate crisis and de-colonialize our food systems. Zawadi is a freshman at OCAD, currently studying Creative Writing. She is also an incredible artist that finds the beauty and value in everything and everyone, using her art as a way to show others what she sees.

We asked Zawadi some questions about her submission - read on!

What was the inspiration for your vision of community gardens?

I think that I was just trying to find a realistic solution to climate change as the prompt suggested. Corporations are already responsible for this crisis so the power really lies in them and the State to fix climate change. However, there still are things that we can do as a community to cope with this reality and not further aggravate our situation, such as community gardens for example.

Why did you choose collages? Is this something you often do?

I don’t do collages often but I thought that it was something that I should try out for this project. I had so much to say and I didn’t think that a simple drawing would do. I think that collages are a cool way to make a statement because they are usually so dense with the details from multiple pieces of artwork.

Why is art and/or artistic expression important in engaging more people (and youth!) in community gardens and de-colonizing our food systems?

I think that art gives cathartic release for the anxieties one may have and a certain sense of control in these chaotic times. De-colonizing and food sovereignty are key ways to ensure racial justice in our society also. The way I imagine community gardens would include workshops and education surrounding gardening and the history of this land. Indigenous peoples would be invited to contribute to and benefit from the garden in any way they feel comfortable. But these are just ideas that I have. And I think that art stimulates this type of imagination that I have.

Do you think the environmental movement is diverse and inclusive? What are ways white allies in the enviromental movement can create more space for racialized communities?

I think that white allies need to do the heavy lifting in the naming and dismantling of  white supremacy. Too often, when it comes to topics having to do with the land and environmental protection, we, as a collective, often rely on marginalized groups to organize and do the hard community work for all with regards to the environment. It’s unjust. White allies need to take the brunt of that load because white supremacy/imperialism are the reasons why there is a climate crisis in the first place.

We are inspired and assured knowing that there are changemakers like Zawadi, leading us forward in better ways that we might not even be able to imagine. If you would like to support Zawadi’s work or reach out for a commissions, find her on Instagram!